14/09/2014
We’re off to Aus. And as always, the plan is to leave early. And then vacation happens….
In front of the main lodge, yesterday’s stale breadcrumbs became a feast to behold. Ground squirrels (Waaierstert Meerkatte), Ruppel’s Korhaan, pale-winged Starlings (bleekvlerkspreeus), doves and many sociable weavers joined in the feast. A little field mouse had to do a quick hit and run, to grab a piece for his family.
We decided to take the scenic route to Aus. Either way, we would be driving gravel road, and hoped that the regional roads were not too bad. Mostly they weren’t .
We stopped for a tea and vanilla cake at the Duwisib Castle. Hansheinrich von Wolf built this castle in 1909. He first fell in love with the country when he was sent as part of the German Schutztruppe, serving as a captain for 2 years. Back in Germany, he met Jayta Humphrey, an American millionairess, who lived in Dresden at the time. They soon tied the knot and decided to settle in Namibia, where they built the castle, and lived in it for 5 years. In 1914 they set off to Europe in search of a stallion for their farm. But then World War I annoyingly redirected them to Rio, where they were interned for a few months. Young Hansheinrich was adamant to serve in the German forces, and when they eventually reached Europe in 1916, he signed up immediately. Except that he fell in battle a mere fourteen days later. Jayta stayed around Munich for a while, but eventually returned to America, and so never reclaimed the castle. Today, the castle is a National Heritage site, and now also boasts some accommodation and a lovely little restaurant.
The views along our route today were spectacular to say the least. Mountains in various shapes and forms lined the road, and even a flat wheel didn’t dampen our spirits too badly.
We’re in Aus. We hope to see some wild horses….
Wat gaan julle in Australia doen? Sonder 4×4?